Fight Against Malaria: Stakeholders Urged to Put in Efforts

Staff Correspondent

SHILLONG: Meghalaya is recognized as one of eight States in the northeastern region of India with a high malaria rate. Although the State has been able to bring down the malaria burden by 87 per cent in the past three years, a concerted effort is mandated from the State Government Departments, armed forces and private partners to achieve the goal of malaria elimination by 2030 as per the “National Framework for Malaria Elimination” of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Working towards this goal and as part of observance of Anti Malaria Month 2019, an ‘Intersectoral Convergence Meeting for Prevention and Elimination of Malaria and other Vector Borne Diseases in Meghalaya’ was held at Shillong Club in Shillong on the theme “Zero Malaria Starts With Me”, on Friday.

Meghalaya Additional Chief Secretary RV Suchiang graced the occasion as the chief guest in the presence of Matisiewdor War Nongbri, Deputy Commissioner and Chairman District Health Society, East Khasi Hills district and officials from the Health Department as well as other line departments.

The programme was organized by the office of the Deputy Director Health Services (Malaria) and the Directorate of Health Services (MI), Government of Meghalaya.

Speaking on the occasion, Suchiang stated that the control and prevention of malaria and other vector borne diseases should not be left to the Health Department alone. Adding that establishing a sectoral convergence will facilitate the emergence of a holistic approach towards the prevention of these diseases, she urged all line departments to come up with a resolution and the same be submitted to the Secretary of the Health Department so that the agenda of the advocacy can be carried forward meaningfully.

Suchiang also stressed on the need of a policy framework to guide line departments in the district to tackle problems of prevention and control of malaria. The policy should also spell out the roles of the concerned departments, roles for planning, implementation and monitoring of malaria and other vector borne diseases, she said.

Nongbri said that malaria is a preventable condition. However, efforts need to be intensified for the prevention, control of the disease. Hence she urged on the stakeholders to intensify their efforts and not be complacent so as to achieve the goal of Malaria Elimination by 2030.

On the occasion, a booklet titled Intersectoral Convergence for Prevention and Elimination of Malaria and other Vector Borne Diseases in Meghalaya 2019 was released by RV Suchiang.

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